People have a morbid fascination with the lives of serial killers. Often, we want to know the motives behind their evil deeds. Also, it is interesting to see how they respond to questioning. That is, of course, if they are still alive. Or if they have any recorded interviews that still exist.
How can you get your next gruesome fix? Well, Netflix is a great place to find documentaries about serial killers. There are lots available to watch, and we've rounded up the best serial killer documentaries. So, without further ado, here are the best documentaries about serial killers to watch on Netflix.
1. Conversations With A Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes
Would you like an insight into the macabre mind of this murderer? Then Conversations With a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes, will give you a glimpse into Bundy's world. This one isn't for the faint of heart. It features a lot of details about his killing sprees.
But, perhaps more disturbing is the glorified manner in which Bundy talks about himself and his acts. This is one of the best Netflix crime documentaries for fans of the serial killer genre.
2. Interview With a Serial Killer
Another gruesome tale. Interview with a Serial Killer chronicles the crimes of Arthur Shawcross. Also known as the Genesee River Killer, he died in prison in 2008 while he was serving a 250-year sentence for his crimes. Like The Ted Bundy Tapes, this documentary features his crimes in disturbing detail.
However, the most gruesome aspect of this documentary is the interview with Shawcross. He comes across as the cold-hearted killer that he was, taking great pleasure in discussing his heinous acts. This is a fantastic documentary that gives a real insight into the often brazen way a serial killer will talk about themselves and their crimes.
3. The Confession Killer
This one is a little different from the others on the list. The Confession Killer focuses on the life and crimes of Henry Lee Lucas. Why is it different? Well, after a spate of arrests for murder, Lucas eventually confessed to dozens more. However, it is impossible to say whether he was telling the truth or not. This is all down to the unusual preferential treatment he was given while in prison.
We won't go into too much detail here as it might spoil the series for you, but the bumbling authorities and Lucas' manipulation of circumstances makes for a compelling watch. If you like to see how a sociopath/psychopath can turn situations to their advantage, then this is an ideal documentary.
4. Killer Ratings
Killer Ratings is a genuinely harrowing tale that highlights what happens when greed takes a stranglehold. It looks at Wallace Souza, who started out as a Brazilian politician, before becoming a cop. From there, he went on to become the host of true-crime TV series, Canal Livre.
Whether Souza was a serial killer per se is a matter of conjecture, but he did hire a hitman to kill five people in order to improve the ratings of his show. More of a serial killer by proxy, but still a greedy, heartless beast nonetheless. This is a brilliant series if you like to see how criminals are often hidden in plain sight.
5. Unabomber - In His Own Words
It is hard to say whether Ted Kaczynski is a serial killer or not. He was more of a "serial bomber". However, he did kill three people during his bombing sprees. This fills the serial killer criteria, for sure.
What is most interesting about this case is the manner in which the Unabomber went from an intellectual young man---a mathematics professor, no less---to a cold-hearted bomber. The police eventually apprehended him in 1996. The Unabomber is currently serving eight life sentences in ADX Florence for 10 counts of transportation, mailing, and use of bombs, and three counts of murder.
Unabomber - In His Own Words is a great documentary, with details "straight from the horse's mouth".
6. Inside the Criminal Mind
Inside the Criminal Mind is a series spread over four 50-minute episodes. Each episode deals with a different form of criminal activity. But the first episode---Serial Killers---is what we're looking for. The episode features expert analysis from professionals.
These range from criminal profilers to psychologists and neurologists. They leave no stone unturned in explaining the mind of a serial killer. If you are a fan of true crime documentaries in general, this is a great pick for your watch list. You can also watch episodes about kidnapping, cult leaders, and crime lords like El Chapo, too.
7. The Devil Next Door
From the producers of Emmy-winning documentary Wild, Wild Country comes the tale of Nazi Death Camp guard "Ivan the Terrible". There is no doubt that this character will have murdered many people in cold blood during his time as a prison guard. This will earn him the title of "serial killer".
The doubt in The Devil Next Door lies in the fact that the Cleveland grandfather, accused of being Ivan the Terrible, protests his innocence throughout. We'll leave you to find out whether he did it or not, but this is a great documentary with an intriguing historical back-story.
8. I Am a Killer
Another series that deals with a range of crimes. I Am a Killer looks at the lives of murderers on Death Row. Not all of them are serial killers. However, episode four, "Sympathy for the Devil", focuses on Miguel Angel Martinez, the youngest inmate ever to have graced Texas' Death Row.
Martinez gives his account first hand, making it interesting as it offers his side of the story. Not that we should sympathize with him. He killed three people and all three murders were linked to Satanism. The whole series is worth watching, but this is a genuinely chilling episode.
The Best Netflix Documentaries About Serial Killers
If you love a good serial killer documentary, then the options above should be enough to give you several hours of viewing... pleasure? Perhaps that is the wrong noun to use here, but it will certainly fill your day with brutal binge-worthiness.
Plus, one of the great things about Netflix is that it will give you suggestions based on your viewing, so there's a chance you'll find the odd gem that way, too.
For out and out morbidity, though, Conversation with a Serial Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes makes for some truly nail-biting viewing. The manner in which Bundy tells his story is truly chilling. If you would like to share the tension remotely, why not check out how to watch Netflix with friends far away.